Roseburg PD K-9’s bite helps catch car theft suspect

ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) — Nike was dogged and fast as it chased down a suspected car thief in southern Oregon.

Nike, named after the Greek goddess of victory and the namesake of the Beaverton-based athletic shoe manufacturer, is a police dog.

According to Roseburg Police Sgt. Jeff Eichenbusch, Nike had his moment Friday after Abigail Wallace was seen driving a stolen car. Police stopped the vehicle using a tire-puncturing device.

Eichenbusch said Saturday that Wallace and a passenger fled on foot. K-9 Nike chased Wallace down an embankment and across a creek. Wallace apparently started to give up, so Nike was called back to his handler. Wallace began running again.

This happened twice more.

The third time, Eichenbusch said, Nike — who had his third birthday on Friday — made a biting capture. Wallace received superficial scrapes and was jailed on charges of attempting to elude police, reckless driving, possession of a stolen vehicle and recklessly endangering another person.

The jail said Wallace does not have an attorney yet.

Bond was set at almost $120,000.